1 - Basic pharmacology
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2009
Summary
An appropriate knowledge and understanding of pharmacology is essential for those health care professionals prescribing in dermatology. It will influence decision-making with regards to the most appropriate medicine, the route of administration, the dose and frequency, potential contraindications, adverse effects and interactions with other drugs. This chapter provides fundamental information regarding pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and highlights issues that should be considered when assessing patients with respect to prescribing medication. A list of other useful textbooks has been provided at the end of the chapter, for those health care professionals wishing to read further.
Routes of administration
Drugs may act locally or systemically. Locally implies that the effects of the drug are confined to a specific area. Systemically means that the drug has to enter the vascular and lymphatic systems for delivery to body tissues. The main route of administration to provide a local effect is topical, whilst oral or parenteral administration of drugs are the main routes to provide a systemic effect. Some topical drugs can, however, have systemic effects, especially if given in large doses, in frequent doses or over a long period of time.
Topical administration
Topical preparations may be applied to the skin, mouth, nose, oropharynx, cornea, ear, urethra, vagina or rectum.
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- Information
- Prescribing in Dermatology , pp. 1 - 15Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2006